Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents
Enhancing Passive Fire Protection in Buildings - 3 CEUs
Instructor: Jeffery Kovach, Director of Outreach and Education
National Firestopping Solutions
(3 Contact hours approved for Fire Code Administrator and Fire Safety Inspector)
Passive fire protection plays a critical role in a building’s overall Life Safety strategy by limiting the passage of fire/smoke spread from barrier to barrier. This refresher course will provide the overall evolution of Firestopping, the three pillars of fire protection and understanding their role compartmentation.
Participants will gain clarity on Firestop systems, ratings, and listings, and how these systems must be applied to maintain rated assemblies. The presentation concludes with a visual review of compromised fire barriers, highlighting common deficiencies commonly identified during construction, renovations, inspections and surveys. Reinforcing best practices for maintaining passive fire protection systems throughout building lifecycle.
Key Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the evolution of firestopping and passive fire protection and explain its critical role in supporting life safety strategies such as evacuation.
2. Identify common points of failure in fire and smoke compartments—including penetrations, joints, above ceiling spaces, and fire/smoke barriers—using real world examples of compromised assemblies.
3. Interpret UL firestop systems, ratings (F, T, L, and W), and system nomenclature to ensure proper selection, installation and inspection.
4. Understand how to achieve a balanced approach to fire protection by coordinating passive systems with active systems.
5. Highlight how insufficient coordination and awareness lead to incorrect firestop system selection, triggering failed inspections, costly rework, opening delays, and increased liability for project teams.
Date: Thursday, July 9th, 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location:
Pasco County Safety Town
15362 Alric Pottberg Rd, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Cost: Free for members of the FFMIA
Not an FFMIA member? Complete the New Member application and pay the membership fee of $95.00 to be able to use the member rate.
Point of Contact:
James Boyette
Deputy Fire Marshal / Division Chief
Law Enforcement Officer
Fire Rescue Department
Pasco County
P 813-929-2750 ext.2645
C 727-389-1962
F 813-929-2756
4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., #208
Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639
jboyette@pascocountyfl.net
or
Philip Oakes, Training Coordinator 307-631-0016
RN: 21568
Class: 296020
Instructor:
Jeffery Kovach
Director of Industry Outreach and Education
National Firestopping Solutions
Jeffery is a fire and life safety professional with more than 11 years of experience in the fire protection industry. He began his career with Hilti, a manufacturer of firestopping products, where he developed a comprehensive understanding of firestopping systems and their critical role in life safety and code compliance. During his tenure at Hilti, Jeffery advanced to the role of Fire Protection Specialist, focusing on industry education, technical outreach, and the promotion of fire protection best practices.
Jeffery currently serves as Director of Industry Outreach & Education at National Firestopping Solutions (NFS). In this role, he leverages his technical expertise and industry experience to support the education of building officials, AHJs, fire marshals, and facility managers. His work emphasizes closing knowledge gaps, strengthening code understanding, and advancing fire and life safety outcomes through education and collaboration.